Curette



. 1,628 275 May 10, 1927- F. ROBINSON cuamws Filed Apfil 30. 1926 Fig.2.

Fig.4

SAMUEL F.ROBINSON Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES SAMUEL F. ROBINSON, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

CURETTE.

" Application'filed April so, 1926. Serial No. 105,716.

Many persons especially elderly persons, are troubled a good deal with an excess of the secretion called cerumen or ear-wax, such wax oftentimes causing a provoking manifestation of its presence and an obstruction of the ear passage to such an extent as to temporarily impair the hearing. The use of the finger nail, a stick or other pointed instrument to remove such wax is fraught with considerable danger of bruising, injuring or infecting the ear, and such means are not always as effectual as desired. The principal object of my invention therefore is the provision of a convenient, safe and ef fective device that can be carried in the pocket or on the person for use at any time needed.

The invention is embodied in the example herein shown and described, the features of novelty being finally claimed.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a view looking at the invention with the openings or loops in the handle thereof in plan. I

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same looking upward at Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail in section on a larger scale showing the form of the blade or ex tractor.

Fig. 4 is a modification of the instrument having a pin-like handle.

Referring first more particularly LO Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the stem or handle 5 is a rod of fairly stiff wire preferably of silver or other not easilycorrodible metal bent near its middle to form a loop or coil; and having at one end a terminal elongated loop or eye 7. The other end of the handle has soldered or otherwise secured to or formed with it the extractor or blade 8 of circular concavoconvex form as best illustrated in section in Fig. 3. The said head 8 is secured at its concave side to the stem eccentrically as respects the head and in an inclined position, at say about forty-five degrees to the axis of the handle so as to form a hoelike instrument. Further the blade 8 is secured to the stem so that its larger area lies below the general plane of the middle coil 6 or so that said coil when taken between the fingers axis of said handle with the larger area of the blade downward the instrument is in correct position for penetrating or engaging the wax and extracting it from the ear. The smooth convex side of the blade makes it safe for insertion into the ear and slight pressure downward causes the blade to engage the wax and a subsequent outward longitudinal movement of the handle easily and safely effects the withdrawal of the olfending wax.

An important advantage of the form and eccentric and inclined connection of the blade with the handle is that wax lodged in lateral cavities off the main passage or external opening can be easily reached and engaged and lifted out without an ext-ren'ie tilting of the handle from say a horizontal. position. The instrument can also be used for removing hardened secretions from the nose.

The-elongated loop or eye 7 alfords a con venient means for inserting a small rag or piece of cotton for use as a swab or as applicator of a medicament or anti-septic to the wall of the aural or nasal passage.

A very little practice will teach the suc cessful and safe manipulation of the curette especially when the handle is formed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The instrument can be manufzurtured in several sizes and is adapted as shown in said views to be safely carried in the vest pocket. If it be desired to carry the device after the manner of an ordinary pin the handle can be made straight and pointed as shown at 10 in Fig. i.

What I claim is:

Acurette having an elongated handle and a substantially circular blade having a circumambient operating rim, said blade secured eccentrically thereof at its concave side to the handle within the rim thereof and in a position having the major portion of its diameter including said connection lying at an acute angle to the and the portion beyond. said connection at an obtuse angle to said axis whereby both said portions are available for removing obstructions from the ear.

SAMUEL F. ROBINSON. 

